PSU PPE Program
Issue Date: May 2010
Revision: July 2015
The Pennsylvania State University
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Program
Introduction:
It is the goal of the Pennsylvania State University to use engineering and administrative controls as the primary methods for addressing occupational hazards. “Engineering controls” focus on controlling a hazard at its source. The basic concept behind engineering controls is that work environments, equipment, and job tasks should be designed to eliminate or reduce exposure to hazards. Common examples of engineering controls include machine guarding, ventilation, and enclosure of noisy equipment.
“Administrative controls” focus on the interaction between an employee and a hazard. These controls involve the introduction of work practices that reduce the risk of injury or illness. Common examples of administrative controls include job rotation, training, and the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be used when engineering and administrative controls are either not possible or infeasible. PPE can also be used to complement these other controls when they do not completely eliminate the hazard. Many injuries and illnesses can be easily prevented by utilizing PPE, resulting in more efficient operations and reduced costs.
Work units which utilize PPE must implement a “PPE Program” for their employees. This document will serve to describe the required elements of such a program.
Purpose:
This program has been established to:
· Ensure the proper selection and use of PPE.
· Ensure that units understand and comply with safety standards for PPE.
· Establish minimum PPE requirements for job tasks and/or work areas with potential injury exposure.
· Assign responsibilities to personnel which are necessary for successful implementation.
Scope & Applicability:
· This program applies to all Penn State properties and work performed by Penn State employees regardless of job site location. The Hershey Medical Center and the College of Medicine are exempt from this program.
· This program applies to all types of PPE.
· If respiratory, hearing protection, arc flash/electrical, or fall protection PPE is necessary, refer to the respective PSU safety programs. (This program only contains general references for the use and care of these types of PPE)
Table of Contents
1.0 References
2.0 Responsibilities
3.0 Definitions
4.0 Hazard Assessment General Requirements
5.0 Purchase of PPE
6.0 Storage, Use and Maintenance of PPE
7.0 Training
8.0 Recordkeeping
9.0 Contractors
Appendix A – PPE Hazard Assessment Certification for Common Tasks and Work Areas
Appendix B - PPE Hazard Assessment Worksheet
Appendix C – Summary of PPE Requirements
Appendix D - PPE Training Certification Form
Appendix E – Personal Protective Equipment Descriptions
Appendix F - Welding Operation Shading Guide
Appendix G - Requirements for Purchase of Prescription Safety Glasses and Safety Shoes
1.0 REFERENCES
This program has been developed in accordance with the following:
Reference DocumentsPSU Laser Safety Policy (SY17)
PSU Respiratory Protection Program and Procedures
PSU Laboratory and Research Safety Plan
PSU Hearing Program Manual
PSU Energized Electrical Safety Program
PSU Pesticide Management Program Manual
OSHA General PPE Requirements (29 CFR 1910.132)
OSHA’s Eye and Face Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.133)
OSHA’s Head Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.135)
OSHA’s Foot Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.136)
OSHA’s Hand Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.138)
2.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1 Budget Executives and Budget Administrators:
· Ensure that responsibilities assigned within this program are carried out within their administrative work unit.
· Designate individuals responsible for the implementation of the PPE program within their work unit.
· Monitor implementation of this program within their work unit.
· Ensure adequate funding is available to support this program.
2.2 Supervisors:
· Be thoroughly informed of the contents of this program and how it applies to their areas of responsibility and authority.
· Ensure hazards are eliminated by engineering or administrative controls whenever feasible.
· Conduct PPE Hazard Assessment(s) for their area of authority.
· Re-evaluate PPE needs for work areas and/or job tasks should any changes occur.
· Provide employees with appropriate PPE.
· Ensure employees receive PPE training.
· Evaluate, approve, and document any new articles of PPE, or changes in existing PPE, prior to use.
· Ensure employees comply with this program and take prompt corrective action when unsafe conditions or practices are observed.
· Investigate injuries and incidents within their work unit related to PPE usage or lack thereof.
2.3 Employees:
· Comply with this program and use personal protective equipment as required.
· Attend all training required by this program.
· Promptly report any concerns related to PPE to their immediate supervisor.
2.4 Safety Officers:
· Determine the applicability of the PPE program to activities conducted within their work unit.
· Coordinate implementation of the PPE program within their work unit.
· Ensure PPE hazard assessments are performed and documented for work areas and / or job tasks.
· Ensure that all affected employees within their work unit have been trained in accordance with this program.
· Ensure records of PPE Hazard Assessments and training are maintained by the work unit.
· Assist in the investigation of injuries and incidents within their work unit related to PPE usage or lack thereof.
2.5 Environmental Health and Safety
· Assist work units in implementing the provisions of this program.
· Periodically review and update this program as needed.
· Set minimum standards for PPE when applicable.
· Provide training to supervisors on how to conduct hazard assessments and train their employees on PPE.
· Develop materials to support supervisors in training employees.
3.0 DEFINITIONS
Apron: A garment which covers and protects the front part of the body from splash contact.
Chemical Resistant Gloves: A form of hand protection typically constructed of Latex, Nitrile, Neoprene, Butyl, or similar materials which are designed to withstand contact with chemicals based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Chemical Resistant Boots: Knee high, rubber boots which are designed to withstand contact with chemicals based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. If needed, chemical resistant boots may be worn over safety shoes, or may be constructed with a protective toe as an integral part of the boot which can be worn singly to fulfill both safety shoe and chemical boot requirements.
Contractor: A person or firm that is not considered an employee of Penn State University. Conducts work for Penn State University on Penn State property via a contractual arrangement or purchase order.
Cryogenic Gloves: A form of hand protection constructed of material that can withstand extreme temperatures. These are designed to withstand contact with extremely low temperatures based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Cut Resistant Leg Protection: Leg coverings which are available in a variety of forms including chaps, logger pants, and leggings. Such protection must be constructed of a cut-resistant material and extend from the upper thigh down to the boot top while adequately covering the leg.
Electrical Safety Shoes: Non-conductive safety shoes meeting ANSI-Z41 or ASTM F2413-5 standard. These shoes will have the initials “EH” stamped on the tongue.
Face shield: A device to protect the face against impact and chemical splashes which meets ANSI StandardZ87.1.
Field Work: Any research or work tasks performed outdoors on publicly accessible land. A research or work task performed inside posted land where hunting is not permitted does not apply. If hunting is permitted, it should be included in the PPE hazard assessment. See this website for more information on hunting zones for PSU, http://huntpsu.cas.psu.edu/
Hard Hat: A device worn over the head to protect against falling objects and impact with fixed objects which meets ANSI StandardZ89.1.
· Class G hard hats provide protection against voltages up to 2,200 volts.
· Class E hard hats provide protection against voltages up to 20,000 volts.
· Class C hard hats are considered conductive and must not be used when there are electrical hazards.
Hearing Protection: A type of personal protective equipment specifically designed to prevent hearing damage. These typically include earmuffs which are worn over the ears and ear plugs which are worn inside the ear.
Laser Goggles/Glasses: Impact resistant eyeglasses with side shields that protect eyes against intense ultraviolet, infrared or visible light and meet ANSI StandardZ136.1. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the proper shading for the desired wavelength of laser.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS): A form containing information such as the physical properties, toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal and safe handling for a particular substance.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Clothing which provides a physical barrier between a person and a known hazard.
Reflective Vest: High visibility, reflective clothing meeting the ANSI 107 standard. Minimum Class 2 vest is required.
Respiratory Protection: A NIOSH approved respirator (1/2 face, full face, Etc) worn over the mouth and nose to prevent the inhalation of harmful substances by purifying the inhaled air or supplying clean, breathable air.
Safety Glasses: Impact resistant eyeglasses with side shields, which meet ANSI StandardZ87.1. This form of eye protection provides protection against flying particles and limited protection against chemical splashes.
Safety Goggles: Protective eyewear that encloses or protects the area surrounding the eye in order to prevent contact with particulates, water or chemicals. Safety goggles can be non-vented, direct-vented, or have indirect-venting.
Safety Shoes: Steel toed or composite toed leather (or equivalent) boots or shoes meeting the ANSI Z41 or ASTM F2413-05 standard.
Thermal Gloves: Hand protection constructed of material that can withstand extreme temperatures. Refer to the manufacturers recommendations regarding the level of temperature protection provided by the gloves.
UV Safety Eyewear: Safety glasses that protect against the full spectrum of UV light and meet the requirements of ANSI Z87.1 & Z136.1.
Visitor: A person who visits an area where they are not assigned. This person may or may not be an employee of Penn State University.
Volunteer: A person who is not an employee of PSU and does not receive any form of compensation.
Voltage rated gloves: Rubber insulated gloves designed to protect against specified electrical voltage ranges and meet the requirements of ANSI/ASTM StandardD120.
Welders Goggles: Eyewear which completely surrounds and covers each eye with opaque material rated to withstand contact by molten metal and features lenses tinted to shield against damage from intense ultraviolet, infrared, or visible light. Must meet the requirements of ANSI StandardZ87.1 for impact protection.
Welder’s Hood: Full face and eye shield, which covers the entire front and side of the face with an opaque material rated to withstand contact by molten metal. Such a hood also has an eye window, the lens of which is rated to withstand contact by molten metal and tinted to shield against damage from intense ultraviolet, infrared, or visible light. Must meet the requirements of ANSI StandardZ87.1 for the materials being used. Refer to Appendix F of this document for shading information.
Work Gloves: Gloves constructed of leather or an equivalent material of suitable thickness to protect against abrasion, puncture, or laceration injuries.
Work Shoe: A completely enclosed shoe as deemed appropriate based on the hazard assessment. Calf (8") height bootsmay be preferable for some operations but are not needed universally.
Work Unit: The area of responsibility of safety officers at University Park locations and a Director of Business Services at campus locations.
4.0 HAZARD ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE
A "hazard assessment" is the process of identifying the hazards associated with a given task and prescribing personal protective equipment which must be utilized to reduce the risk. A “certification of hazard assessment” is a written document (such as the one in Appendix B) detailing the hazard assessment for a particular task. The supervisor is responsible for ensuring that hazard assessments are performed and the certification(s) written. Sections 4.1 – 4.6 below are the steps that are to be followed in order to complete a hazard assessment.
4.1 A PPE Hazard Assessment must be performed for each work area and/or job task where hazards exist.
4.1.1 If work areas are similar in nature (i.e. chemical labs, boiler rooms, machine shops) then only one written hazard assessment is needed for those areas. The form must make reference to similar locations as proof that an assessment was performed.
4.2 Appendix A (PPE Hazard Assessment Certification for Common Tasks and Work Areas) contains the minimum required PPE for many areas/tasks as determined by the PSU EHS Department. These determinations were made based on occupational safety and health best practices, applicable regulations, and task hazard evaluation.
4.3 If the area/task in question is found in Appendix A, then Appendix B (PPE Hazard Assessment Worksheet) does not need to be completed. Appendix A is written certification that a PPE hazard assessment was performed.
4.4 If the area/task in question does not appear in Appendix A, then Appendix B must be completed.
4.5 Findings from Appendices A & B must then be transmitted onto the form found in Appendix C (Summary of PPE Requirements).
4.6 PPE must be worn by all employees and visitors, who work in, enter areas or complete tasks noted on Appendix C.
5.0 PURCHASE OF PPE
5.1 As specified by OSHA, the work unit must pay 100% of most forms of personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes respirators, hearing protection, non-prescription eye protection, face protection, head protection, fall protection, electrical PPE, hand protection, chemical resistant PPE, and Flame Resistant PPE. The PPE exempted from this rule are prescription safety glasses and non-specialty protective footwear (including steel toed shoes and boots).
5.1.1 The work unit will provide partial reimbursement for the purchase of non-specialty protective footwear once a year. See Appendix G for details.
· Specialty footwear must be 100% paid for by the work unit. This includes items that offer special protective qualities such as chemical resistance, electrical protection and static dissipation.
5.1.2 The work unit will provide reimbursement for one pair of prescription safety eyewear every other year. Refer to Appendix G for details.
· Specialty eyewear must be 100% paid for by the work unit. This includes prescription eyewear inserts for respirators, laser safety eyewear and welding eyewear.